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Saint Hilaire Brut 2010
Only $12.99 per bottle!
Although I knew this Sparkling Wine is delicious and an absolute bargain at it's $12.99 price tag, I had no idea until today that it is France's oldest Sparkling Wine! Leave it to th Benedictine Monks, famous for many interesting alcoholic beverages, including Chartreuse, to make a sparkling wine at their Abbey over a century before Champagne was made! In fact, they were making Sparkling Wines in Limoux in 1531.
Many of you will know the difference, but for those who don't, all Champagnes are Sparkling Wines, but in order to be called Champagne, it must come from the Champagne region in France, and be made using the Traditional Method, which involves a secondary fermentation in bottle. All other bubblies, even if they are made in the exact same way as Champagne, are all Sparkling Wines.
This Sparkling Wine comes from Southern France in the region of Limoux, in the Languedoc region. This wine is labeled as Blanquette de Limoux, a special designation that can be used only for sparkling wines coming from the Limoux region that use at least 90% of a local grape called Mauzac, which the Saint Hilaire Brut does.
When our staff tried the St. Hilaire Brut a couple of weeks back, their comments are the same as comments that I see repeated over and over again online - Like Non-Vintage Champagne at a fraction of the price! This wine has great aromatics with some stone fruit, as well as the famous green apple that people love in their favorite Sparkling Wines. On the palate, it is creamy, with a touch of yeast (a style that is a personal favorite of mine), some more peach and green apple on the palate, with a creamy texture and finish.
This is a great Sparkling Wine choice for parties year-round, having a glass before dinner, or wihle relaxing outside, and with this price, you won't even feel guilty adding some OJ for a Mimosa! Try it, and you'll have a new favorite bubbly just in time for summer! At the low price of just $12.99, you can't go wrong!
Cheers!
Tracy Maxon
tracy@varmax.com | 
